The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) expressed its concern regarding the damage inflicted on the Syrian and Turkish heritage sites, and pledged to provide support to both countries affected by the earthquake.
Following an initial assessment of the damage in collaboration with the national authorities, UNESCO reported “particular concern over the situation in the ancient city of Aleppo in Syria, which is listed on the World Heritage List and exposed to risk.”
Significant damage has been observed at the citadel and the western tower of the ancient city’s walls has collapsed, as well as many buildings in the markets. In addition, several buildings in the Turkish city of Diyarbakir also collapsed. The city is considered the location of the World Heritage Site “Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape,” which is an important center for Roman, Sassanian, Byzantine, Islamic, and Ottoman periods.
UNESCO experts are working with national authorities to conduct a detailed assessment of the damage to the World Heritage-listed sites.
It is worth mentioning that a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck South Turkey and North Syria on Monday, causing the destruction of several cities, leaving thousands of casualties and injuries behind.
